Handheld shower docking arrangement

ABSTRACT

An example shower assembly includes a base, a moveable shower head, at least one magnet, and a member attractable to the magnet. The magnet attracts the member to hold the moveable shower head relative to the base. A slot associated with the base receives a portion of the handle to provide further support.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.12/166,583, filed on Jul. 2, 2008, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/958412, which was filed on 5 Jul. 2007and is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

This application relates to an arrangement for securing a handheldshower.

As known, bathing areas frequently include a shower assembly. Movingwater through apertures in a showerhead of the shower assembly generatesa showering spray of water within a bathing area. Adjusting the positionof the shower assembly adjusts the spray of water. Adjustments includechanging the size of the apertures, changing the water flow through theshowerhead, or both.

Some shower assemblies include a handheld shower, which can direct aspray of water separate from the spray of water exiting the showerhead.The handheld shower is typically removably mounted or docked to anotherportion of the shower assembly. A user undocks and moves the handheldshower within the bathing area to change the direction and location ofthe spray of water. Some of these shower assemblies deliver water to thebathing area through both the showerhead and the handheld shower.

As known, the handheld shower moves between mounted and unmountedpositions in a wet, often slippery, environment. Complex handheld showermounting arrangements can provide a secure connection between thehandheld shower and the other portions of the shower assembly, but suchconnections are often are costly and difficult to clean. Many handheldshower mounting arrangements are also complex and difficult to install.

SUMMARY

An example shower assembly includes a base defining a recess. A moveableshower has a head portion and a handle extending from the head portionalong a vertical axis. The head portion has a front face with aplurality of spray apertures and a rear portion receivable within therecess. At least one magnet is associated with at least one of the baseand the moveable spray head. A member is associated with the other ofthe base and the moveable spray head, wherein at least one magnetattracts the member to hold the moveable spray head relative to thebase. A slot is associated with the base, wherein the slot receives aportion of the handle.

An example docking arrangement for a handheld shower includes a basehaving a recess that defines a center axis. The base comprises a coverportion that is secured to a fixed location within a bathing area and aspray portion that attaches to the cover portion. The spray portionincludes a first plurality of spray apertures. A moveable shower has ahead portion and a handle extending from the head portion along a handleaxis that is transverse to the center axis. The head portion has asecond plurality of spray apertures and is receivable within the recesswhen in a docked position. At least one magnet is associated with atleast one of the base and the moveable spray head. A member isassociated with the other of the base and the moveable spray head. Atleast one magnet attracts the member to hold the moveable spray headrelative to the base when in the docked position. A slot is associatedwith the base, wherein the slot receives a portion of the handle when inthe docked position.

These and other features of the example disclosure can be bestunderstood from the following specification and drawings, the followingof which is a brief description:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of an example shower assembly;

FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of another example showerassembly in a disengaged position;

FIG. 2B illustrates a front view of the FIG. 2A shower assembly;

FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of the FIG. 2A shower assembly inan engaged position without a conduit;

FIG. 3B illustrates a front view of the FIG. 3A shower assembly;

FIG. 4A illustrates a perspective view of another example showerassembly in a disengaged position;

FIG. 4B illustrates a front view the FIG. 4A shower assembly;

FIG. 5A illustrates a perspective view of the FIG. 4A shower assembly inan engaged position without a conduit; and

FIG. 5B illustrates a front view the FIG. 5A shower assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, an example shower assembly 10 includes a handheldshower 12 having a handle 14 extending from a moveable spray head 16.The handheld shower 12 removeably engages or docks with a fixed sprayhead 18, a type of showerhead or base. A water supply 22 provides waterto the moveable spray head 16 and the fixed spray head 18.

The fixed spray head 18 includes a cover portion 34 that is secured to afixed location within a bathing area. A spray portion 26 of the fixedspray head 18 attaches to the cover portion 34 in a known manner. Watermoves through a first plurality of apertures 30 within the spray portion26 of the fixed spray head 18 to generate a spray of water within thebathing area. In one example, the fixed spray head 18 is pivotablyattached within the bathing area.

The example fixed spray head 18 holds at least one magnet 40. In thisexample, the magnet 40 is positioned between the spray portion 26 andthe cover portion 34 of the fixed spray head 18. The fixed spray head 18is typically a polymer material and defines at least one recess 44 thataccommodates and maintains the position of the magnet 40 relative othercomponents. The magnet 40 generates a magnetic field extending from thefixed spray head 18.

In this example, the handheld shower 12 includes a plate 50, a type ofmember, defining a second plurality of apertures 54. Water moves fromthe water supply 22 through the apertures 54 to provide a spray of waterwithin the bathing area. The plate 50 is typically a metallic materialand threadably attaches to the moveable spray head 16, for example.Other examples utilize adhesive to secure the plate 50 to the moveablespray head 16. In still other examples, the plate 50 is housed withinthe handheld shower 12 and does not define the apertures 54.

The magnet 40 attracts the plate 50 toward the fixed spray head 18 tohold the handheld shower 12 relative to the fixed spray head 18. In thisexample, the magnet 40 holds the moveable spray head 16 within arecessed area 62 of the fixed spray head 18.

In one example, a user moves the moveable spray head 16 from therecessed area 62 by moving the handle 14 to guide the moveable sprayhead 16 away from the fixed spray head 18 along an axis A. Otherarrangements of the magnet 40 are possible and fall within the scope ofthis disclosure. For example, the moveable spray head 16 may include themagnet 40, which is then attracted to metal within the fixed spray head18.

A person skilled in the art and having the benefit of this disclosurewould be able to select the magnet 40 having sufficient magnetic forcefor holding the moveable spray head 16 within the recessed area 62 whilestill permitting the user to remove the moveable spray head 16 whenapplying force to the handle 14.

In addition to the magnet 40, the example shower assembly 10 includes aplurality of clips 66 receivable within respective grooves 70. In thisexample, opposing sides of the fixed spray head 18 each define one ofthe clips 66 and opposing sides of the moveable spray head each defineone of the grooves 70. When the moveable spray head 16 is receivedwithin the recessed area 62, the clips 66 are received within thegrooves 70. In this position, the clips 66 contact the portions of themoveable spray head 16 defining the grooves 70 to hold the position ofthe moveable spray head 16 relative to the fixed spray head 18. When theuser desires to move the moveable spray head 16 relative to the fixedspray head 18, the user applies force to the handle 14 to flex the clips66 out of the grooves 70, which allows movement of the moveable sprayhead 16 away from the recessed area 62 of the fixed spray head 18.Although described in this example as including both magnets 40 andclips 66, other examples may include only clips 66 or only magnets 40.That is, the shower assembly 10 includes the magnets 40, the clips 66,or both.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A-3B, another example shower assembly 110includes a handheld shower 112 having a handle 114 extending from amoveable spray head 116. The handheld shower 112 removeably mounts ordocks to a fixed spray head 118, a type of base. The fixed spray head118 mounts to a bathing area wall 120. The water supply 22 deliverswater to the moveable spray head 116 and the fixed spray head 118through the bathing area wall 120. A flexible conduit 121 communicateswater to the moveable spray head 116 from the fixed spray head 118.

A mounting bracket 134 secures the fixed spray head 118 relative to thebathing area wall 120. In this example, the mounting bracket 134includes a threaded connection 138 and a pivot 140, which facilitatespivoting portions of the fixed spray head 118 relative to the bathingarea wall 120.

The fixed spray head 118 defines a slot 142 for receiving the moveablespray head 116 of the handheld shower 112. The slot 142 tapers from awider end portion 146 to a narrower end portion 150. The moveable sprayhead 116 similarly tapers from a wider end portion 154 to a narrower endportion 158. In this example, the profile of the moveable spray head 116is the same general profile as that of the slot 142. Other examplesinclude other types of tapered and wedged relationships between thehandheld shower 112 and the fixed spray head 118. For example, anotherarrangement may include tapering the handle 114 instead of, or inaddition to, the moveable spray head 116. Still other examples mayinclude defining the slot 142 with the moveable spray head 116.

In this example, to dock the handheld shower 112, a user positions thenarrower end portion 158 of the moveable spray head within the wider endportion 154 of the slot 142 and then slides the moveable spray head 116in the direction shown. In an engaged position, the moveable spray head116 contacts at least some of the sides of the fixed spray head 118 thatdefine the slot 142, which limits further movement of the handheldshower 112 in the direction shown.

Removing the handheld shower 112 from the fixed spray head 118 allowsthe user to direct spray from the handheld shower 112 to other portionsof the bathing area. A user slides the handheld shower 112 within theslot 142 opposite the direction shown to remove the handheld shower 112.

In this example, some of the sides that define the slot 142 include tabs160, which are received within apertures 162 defined by the moveablespray head 116 when the handheld shower 112 is in the docked or engagedposition within the slot 142. The tabs 160 limit inadvertentdisengagement of the moveable spray head 116 from the fixed spray head118 and facilitate an aligned relationship between the handheld shower112 and the fixed spray head 118 when the handheld shower 112 is docked.

The handle 114 on the moveable spray head 116 includes a valve controlfeature 164 that, when moved, actuates a valve (not shown) within thehandheld shower 112 to control water flow through a plurality ofapertures 168. In this example, the fixed spray head 118 also includes aplurality of apertures 172 that provide a spray of water separate fromthe spray of water exiting the handheld shower 112.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A-5B, another example shower assembly 210includes a handheld shower 212 having a handle 214 extending from amoveable spray head 216. The moveable spray head 216 is removeablydocked with a fixed spray head 218, a type of base. The water supply 22delivers water to the moveable spray head 216 and the fixed spray head218 through a water supply tube 226, which is fixed relative to thebathing area wall 120. A mounting bracket 234 is secured to the watersupply tube 226 and receives water from the water supply 22. The fixedspray head 218 includes the mounting bracket 234, in this example. Athreaded connection 238 secures the mounting bracket 234 to the watersupply tube 226.

The fixed spray head 218 defines a slot 242 that receives the moveablespray head 216. The slot 242 tapers from a wider end portion 246 to anarrower end portion 250. The handheld shower 212 includes a sectionthat similarly tapers from a wider end portion 254 to a narrower endportion 258. In this example, the profile of this section of the handle214 is the same general profile as that of the slot 242.

To dock the handheld shower 212 with the fixed spray head 218, the userpositions the narrower end portion 258 of the handheld shower 212 withinthe wider end portion 246 of the slot 242, and then slides the handheldshower 212 within the slot 242 in the direction shown. In this example,the handheld shower 212 contacts the sides of the fixed spray head 218that define the slot 242 to limit further movement of the handheldshower 212 in the direction shown. The moveable spray head 216 alsocontacts the fixed spray head 218 to limit movement as the fixed sprayhead 218 includes the wider end portion 246. The user slides thehandheld shower 212 within the slot in an opposite direction to removethe handheld shower 212. The fixed spray head 218 may include aplurality of tabs 262 or extensions for stabilizing the handheld shower212 when docked or when the handheld shower 212 is moving to the dockedposition.

A valve control 264 on the moveable spray head 216 actuates a valve (notshown) within the fixed spray head 218 to control water flow through aplurality of apertures 268. In this example, both the fixed spray head218 and the moveable spray head 216 include some of the plurality ofapertures 268.

Although a preferred embodiment of this invention has been disclosed, aworker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certainmodifications would come within the scope of this invention. For thatreason, the following claims should be studied to determine the truescope and content of this invention.

1. A shower assembly comprising: a base defining a recess; a moveableshower having a head portion and a handle extending from the headportion along a vertical axis, the head portion having a front face witha plurality of spray apertures and a rear portion receivable within therecess; at least one magnet associated with at least one of the base andthe moveable shower; a member associated with the other of the base andthe moveable shower, wherein the at least one magnet attracts the memberto hold the moveable shower relative to the base; and a slot associatedwith the base, wherein the slot receives a portion of the handle.
 2. Theshower assembly according to claim 1, wherein the base has a straighttop edge, a straight bottom edge, and side edges interconnecting the topand bottom edges, and wherein the slot is located at the bottom edge. 3.The shower assembly according to claim 2, wherein the recess is roundand wherein the head portion is round.
 4. The shower assembly accordingto claim 3, wherein the top and bottom edges extend perpendicular to thevertical axis.
 5. The shower assembly according to claim 1, wherein thebase comprises a cover portion that is secured to a fixed locationwithin a bathing area and a spray portion that attaches to the coverportion, and wherein the spray portion includes a second plurality ofspray apertures.
 6. The shower assembly according to claim 6, wherein afirst subset of the second plurality of spray apertures is positionedadjacent to the head portion on one side of the vertical axis and asecond subset of the second plurality of spray apertures is positionedadjacent to the head portion on an opposite side of the vertical axis.7. The shower assembly according to claim 5, wherein the membercomprises a plate.
 8. The shower assembly according to claim 7, whereinthe plate is fixed to the moveable shower and the at least one magnet isfixed to the base.
 9. The shower assembly according to claim 8, whereinthe plate includes the plurality of spray apertures for the headportion.
 10. The shower assembly according to claim 8, wherein the plateis threadably and/or adhesively attached to the moveable shower.
 11. Theshower assembly according to claim 8, wherein the at least one magnet ispositioned between the cover portion and the spray portion.
 12. Theshower assembly according to claim 11, wherein the at least one magnetcomprises a plurality of magnets that are circumferentially spaced apartfrom each other about a center axis defined by the recess.
 13. Theshower assembly according to claim 1, wherein the moveable shower ismoveable between a docked position where the magnet attracts and holdsthe member to the base and the slot receives the portion of the handle,and an undocked position where the portion of the handle is out of theslot and a magnetic connection between the base and the moveable showeris broken.
 14. The shower assembly according to claim 1, wherein one ofthe portion of the handle and the slot includes at least one clip andthe other of the portion of the handle and the slot includes at leastone groove, and wherein the at least one clip is received within the atleast one groove when the moveable shower is in a docked position.
 15. Ahandheld shower docking arrangement comprising: a base having a recessthat defines a center axis, wherein the base comprises a cover portionthat is secured to a fixed location within a bathing area and a sprayportion that attaches to the cover portion, and wherein the sprayportion includes a first plurality of spray apertures; a moveable showerhaving a head portion and a handle extending from the head portion alonga handle axis that is transverse to the center axis, the head portionhaving a second plurality of spray apertures and being receivable withinthe recess when in a docked position; at least one magnet associatedwith at least one of the base and the moveable shower; a memberassociated with the other of the base and the moveable shower, whereinthe at least one magnet attracts the member to hold the moveable showerrelative to the base when in the docked position; and a slot associatedwith the base, wherein the slot receives a portion of the handle when inthe docked position.
 16. The handheld shower docking arrangementaccording to claim 15, wherein the recess is round and wherein the headportion is round.
 17. The handheld shower docking arrangement accordingto claim 15, wherein the at least one magnet comprises a plurality ofmagnets and the member comprises a plate made from a metallic material.18. The handheld shower docking arrangement according to claim 17,wherein the plurality of magnets are circumferentially spaced apart fromeach other about the center axis.
 19. The handheld shower dockingarrangement according to claim 18, wherein the plate is fixed to thehead portion and the magnets are fixed to the base.
 20. The handheldshower docking arrangement according to claim 15, wherein the baseincludes a first pair of side edges that extend parallel to each otherand a second pair of side edges that interconnect the first pair of sideedges, and wherein the slot is at one of the first pair of side edgesand includes at least one gripping feature to engage the portion of thehandle when in the docked position.